Cheap Gaming PC

[Corrosive]

Ok, I traded out the 2 kingstons for 2 Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM and the 120 gig HD for a Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, MODEL 6Y080M0, OEM Drive Only

 

[ShaftedTwice]

Originally posted by Corrosive
Ok, I have my list and I need feedback. I know nothing about compatibility so could someone tell me if this stuff should be compatible or not?

Seagate 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3120026A, OEM

Kingston HyperX Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 x2

Soltek "SL-75FRN2-RL" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL

AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK

Total: $726 with FedEx Express Saver shipping from newegg.

If you see something with features that I really don't need, feel free to tell me so I can save some money, or if there's something better for less money. I don't play on Overclocking so do I need anymore cooling than the fan I already have?

haha.. for $800, i can build a heck of a better system than that..

Processor:Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz Northword.Overclocked to around 3.8GHz.$210
RAM:512MBx2 PC3700.$175
Video Card:ATI Sapphire Radeon 9800Pro.Softmodded into 9800XT.$195
Mobo:Abit IC7-G.$100
HDD:Seagate 160GB 7200RPM.$60
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Case:Chieftec Dragon Case w/ 600W PS..........$50
Fans5 80mm (52CFM) Case Fans.....................$12

 

[TheHybrid]

Originally posted by ShaftedTwice
haha.. for $800, i can build a heck of a better system than that..

Processor:Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz Northword.Overclocked to around 3.8GHz.$210
RAM:512MBx2 PC3700.$175
Video Card:ATI Sapphire Radeon 9800Pro.Softmodded into 9800XT.$195
Mobo:Abit IC7-G.$100
HDD:Seagate 160GB 7200RPM.$60
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Case:Chieftec Dragon Case w/ 600W PS..........$50
Fans5 80mm (52CFM) Case Fans.....................$12

Take the rebate out of the
Seagate = $145
And 2x512mb PC3700 = $310

And you just hit above $1000.

 

[Corrosive]

Ok, now i'm getting confused, which gaming rig is better, and I've heard from a reliable source to not get Intel.

 

[TheHybrid]

The Athlon XP and 64 does better in gaming.

Intel's P4 are fair in gaming (equals athlon xp and loses to athlon 64), but they are quite pricey.

 

[Corrosive]

So is the AMD 64 bit what I have selected? Keep in mind I know NOTHING about computer hardware. I'm sorry if i'm a bother, I'd just really like to get a good deal.

 

[TheHybrid]

Nope, Athlon 64 are a bit pricey.

Even though the Athlon 64 is pricier than the Athlon XP, the Athlon 64 has a better performance ratio than the Athlon XP.

 

[Corrosive]

Well, better performance would jestify more money, so should I get the 64 instead of the XP?

I found this in place of the AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail. Is the 50 extra dollars really worth the performance boost? And is there a way to tell if something has a rebate before I buy it?

 

[ShaftedTwice]

Originally posted by TheHybrid
Take the rebate out of the
Seagate = $145
And 2x512mb PC3700 = $310

And you just hit above $1000.

I aint talking only newegg, you know..

 

[TheHybrid]

Originally posted by ShaftedTwice
I aint talking only newegg, you know..

Ebay?

$60 for a 160gb Seagate is too good of a deal. Maybe with some rebates.

Show me a link, because i am looking forward to buying a heavy harddrive too for a cheap price.

 

[COTA-GoD]

Originally posted by Corrosive
Lol, i'm confused as to what's what, is the AMD the mobo or what?

Also, how does that setup comply with gaming? Will I get reasonable framrates just running on normal graphics settings for say, Battle Field 1942?

If you dont even know what AMD is, you shouldnt be building/upgrading a computer.

 

[Corrosive]

This topic is done with. Don't revive it.. unfortunately I don't have the time to look on the computer all day at what different kinds of hardware there is. Perhaps you could give me some of your time?

 

[COTA-GoD]

i could find you exactly what you could put together to make a gawdly computer, but i dont believe youwould be able to put it together yourself without screwing something up.

 

[Corrosive]

Well I'm basically building it from scratch, so as of now, I really have nothing to screw up.

Ok, I got my vid card today, it's a beauty. I haven't been able to test it out yet due to the fact that my current MOBO doesn't support AGP. Here's my list and I've moved it all around so I have no shipping and handling in any of the 3 companies.

WD Caviar 120GB 7200RPM 8MB Buffer ATA/100 HDD - $89 at allstarshop.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" -RETAIL - $66

Geil Value Series 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 x2 - $83 each This and the case, both from newegg.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor Socket 754 Retail - $212

MSI K8T Neo-FSR Via KT800 Athlon 64 Skt754 DDR ATX Motherbaord w/Audio, LAN, Serial ATA Retail - $87 This and the Processor from ZipZoomFly.com


The lines are to seperate which companies I bought from. This is final, the only way i'm going to change my list is if something isn't compatible. Do you see anything that would look like it would have a problem with another? Oh yea, the card was an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB DDR, this is compatible with everything else too right?

Is the 350W PSU enough to run all this? I chose 120 GB because I'll be playing games AND downloading movies/music so I need some significant space.

 

[COTA-GoD]

You accually got a 64 bit processor....w.e,lol. Anyways, that all looks like it should be fine, ill look into the mobo in a few mins.


::EDIT:: Yes it is all fine, it should work. I figured that you didnt know how to put everything together concidering you didnt know what AMD was....

 

[Iliaran]

your 350watt power supply WILL run your pc...but you might encounter some stability issues...

...and you're building a GAMING pc, so why are you using integrated audio?!?! Buy yourself a proper sound-card and a proper sound system...sheesh...even my laptop supports more speakers than ur pc's current configuration

(btw...dont get the normal ATI radeon 9800 pro...get the one made by saphire or hercules cause you can easilly overclock them to XT levels without any stability issues...I did)

...oh...and 120 gigs isnt even close to enough space...my main rig has around 450 gigs of space...and ive got less than 12 free (120 gig harddrive+80 gig+250 external)...unless if you delete your movies right after you download them, you're going to run out of space fast (assuming that a normal movie's around 1.6 gigs or so, and rips are like half that)

 

[Corrosive]

This is a gaming PC, not really a multimedia PC. Everyone's told me Antec's PSUs are really stable so i'm sticking with 350.

 

[Iliaran]

its not the stability of your power supply that's in question...its that the components of your pc are going to drain your power supply dry (especially that 64 bit processor and ur video card...ur video card has its own power input thing y'know), but hey, if everyone say's its good, then it must be good! (note the sarcasm)

...and you've evidentally never tried playing games with surround sound...lets just say being able to HEAR where bullets are coming from DOES help a bit in games...and surround sound adds to the atmosphere...

but...its your pc...

 

[TheHybrid]

Yeah, you can stick with your 350w, but when time passes and you start upgrading your pc further more for the more powerful GPU and CPU, your gonna need alot of watts.

 

[Corrosive]

I've heard that the VIA chipset wasn't really good. Should I get a MOBO with nforce3 instead?

MSI K8T Neo-FSR Via KT800 Athlon 64 Skt754 DDR ATX Motherbaord w/Audio, LAN, Serial ATA

or


CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU

which should I purchase?